2018 LOTSA Salmon School

[Tim Bromund]

2018 LOTSA Salmon School

Attention Great Lakes Salmon Fishermen! On Saturday, January 20, 2018 the Lake Ontario Trout & Salmon Association (LOTSA) is proud to (once again) host its well-known in-depth Salmon School. This highly acclaimed school, now in its 11^th year, has become the premier Salmon School anywhere in the Great Lakes. What started out as a local event 10 years ago now sees many diehard salmon anglers from across the Great Lakes and Canada attending. The School, coupled with all of the trout and salmon exhibitors at the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo, makes this a “must attend” three-day winter event for many.

The School consists of six hours of detailed instruction taught by three expert captains and this year they are:

Capt. Captain Richard Hajecki (Crazy Yankee Sportfishing out of the ports of Oak Orchard, Wilson & Rochester NY); Capt. Greg Amiel (Fishing 4 Tails guiding service out of multiple Canadian Lake Ontario ports and Capt. Jason Coslow (KC-1 Sport Fishing out of numerous eastern Lake Michigan ports).

These three captains offer a huge amount of on-the-water experience trolling for trout and salmon along with a proven tournament track record of high placement in the most prestigious tournaments over many years. They are a much diversified set of instructors and will provide a class full of insights and details that no one single instructor would be able to provide. They are all skilled communicators and very well known for sharing their fishing knowledge and daily fishing trips with anglers to help them to be more successful fishing the lake. Each brings their own unique set of trolling skills, techniques and knowledge to the class. Given the depth of the knowledge base of these instructors and their proven ability to educate anglers, we expect this school to be another high quality, comprehensive, in-depth, information-packed event that our attendees have come to expect from this annual day-long instruction.

 

Captain Richard Hajecki

 

Captain Richard Hajecki has been fishing Lake Ontario for 30 years. His father introduced him and his brother, Captain Craig Hajecki, to salmon and trout fishing when they were just six or seven years old. The addiction took hold and Captain Richard became the household alarm clock every weekend of the season! Captain Richard started out fishing the ESLO Derby, which changed hands and became the LOC Derby with family and friends. Around 2004, the Hajecki family decided to give tournaments a try on the amateur side, and they had some success. In 2007, they switched over to the Pro side of tournament fishing and they won their first event – the Orleans County Pro-Am! Since then Captain Richard has led team Yankee Troller to 10 tournament wins, 36 Top 5 placings, and 16 Top 10 placings since 2007. Each season he participates in tournaments held in both countries and on both ends of Lake Ontario. One of Captain Richard’s biggest accomplishments was in 2013 when he led team Yankee Troller onto winning the Lake Ontario Challenge Cup Championship. When Captain Richard isn’t tournament fishing he is chartering under his business Crazy Yankee Sportfishing. He is generally the first boat in during late March as he probes the waters off Rochester for Spring Brown Trout. Around May 1st he can be found off the Niagara Bar catching Spring King Salmon out of the Port of Wilson. Once the West end tournaments are over he heads back to the Port he calls home at Pt. Breeze on the Oak Orchard River. You can follow Captain Richard’s fishing reports on his blog as well as his business’s Facebook page – Crazy Yankee Sportfishing. He is sponsored by Cannon Downriggers | Humminbird Electronics | Bay Rat Lures | Dreamweaver Lures | A-TOM-MIK Manufacturing | Daiwa Rods and Reels | Smart Troll | FishUSA | McCoy Fishing Line | Familiar Bite | Under Armour.

 

Greg Amiel

 

Greg Amiel is a 44 year old Richmond Hill, Ontario resident, owner of Fishing 4 Tails guiding service. As a Multi-Species Pro Angling Specialist, Greg fishes on average 150 days a year on the water. His character is driven to fish, with always wanting to gain more knowledge in a better bite, new techniques and figuring out daily fish patterns. Greg has won many tournaments and derbies throughout Lake Ontario for salmon and other species in the past 10 years. Greg and his family currently hold 11 IGFA World Records.

Greg targets fish of all species from musky to salmon in his surrounding waters. Ontario is a goldmine in terms of the many lakes and multi species all within a couple hours drive. With his salt water background, he is able to apply many different strategies, to increase his odds in tournaments and keeping his clients busy reeling in fish. He is able to teach anglers various techniques with his broad knowledge of seasonal patterns, lunar phases, water quality, baitfish movement and the when and where of fishing. He is sponsored by Lund, Mercury, Scotty, Gibbs Delta, Smooth Moves Seats, Shimano, J.B.’s Fishing Depot, Off Shore Tackle and Wack ‘M Tackle.

 

Jason Coslow

 

Jason Coslow has been chasing salmon and trout in Michigan waters (rivers, streams and Lake Michigan) since he was old enough to hold a fishing pole. His addiction to tournament fishing started over 20 years ago and he has become one of the most successful and most respected captains on the Tournament Trail. Jason is a charter captain and leads one of the winningest teams, KC-1, on Lake Michigan. He is well known by his clients as a great teacher that will take the time to share his knowledge and experience with anyone who asks. Lastly, Jason and his team took the title of Salmon Showdown Broadcast Champions in 2016.

The Salmon School is not meant for novices to the Lake Ontario fishery. It is a “hard core” salmon class targeted toward providing the “experienced weekend warrior” with additional insights and details to improve their catch in the limited time they have on the water. As the Great Lakes continue to change and become a much more challenging fishery, knowledge is often the difference between having a couple of bites or having steady bites throughout the day.

The LOTSA Salmon School is a custom class built from the input from the attendees on what is most important to them to cover. It is not an “off the shelf” class for the masses. Each attendee will have the opportunity to submit their top three topics that they want to have covered in the class. The instructors will then use this input to customize the curriculum to cover these particular areas.

 

SALMON SCHOOL REGISTRATION

The registration price includes free admission to the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo on Saturday and Sunday, your 2018 LOTSA Membership, a hot buffet lunch on Saturday with beverages available throughout the class and a “goodie” bag consisting of the “go to” baits of the instructors. The class (and Expo) is held at the Conference and Event Center Niagara Falls in a “state of the art” conference room with a large screen, stage, good seating with tables and a good sound system that all make for a comfortable venue throughout the day for everyone attending. Given the quality of what you will be taught, coupled with the lunch, “goodie bag” and free admissions, it is a terrific value and a great way to start your 2018 season. Where else would you want to be in the Great Lakes on a Saturday in January than at a nice and comfortable venue talking salmon fishing with a room full of individuals with the same common interest that you have?

The School sells out every year as many of the attendees come back year after year which is the ultimate testimony to the value of attending the school. Early signups are encouraged to give the instructors enough time to build the curriculum for the desired topics and so that you are guaranteed a seat to avoid being left out in the cold.

 

Sign up now at www.lotsa1.org

 

Registration is $85.00 and includes your 2018 LOTSA Membership.

Edited September 21, 2017 by Tim Bromund

[Circlehook]

I may have missed it. But how much? $$$

[victor16]

I believe $85 which includes your membership to LOTSA 

 

 

[Decoy Hound]

Man I really wanted to go but will be in North Dakota ice fishing. Well I guess I'll have to wait till the following year. Really sounded informative.

[Tim Bromund]

Bump.


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[stoneam2006]

If I read the website correct the lotsa membership also covers your LOC tourney entry?

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[stoneam2006]

And did I miss a date?

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[Tim Bromund]

No, your $10 LOTSA Membership does not cover your LOC entry, it makes you eligible for the LOTSA Prize for the Largest Salmon caught in each of the Derbies by a LOTSA Member.

 

 

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[stoneam2006]

No, your $10.00


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What?

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[Tim Bromund]

Sorry, was typing on the tiny keypad on my iphone and inadvertently hit send. Edited post is above.


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[stoneam2006]

Sorry, was typing on the tiny keypad on my iphone and inadvertently hit send. Edited post is above.


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Thank you....is there a date for the class?

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[John E Powell]

The date is posted in the second sentence of the original post.

[stoneam2006]

The date is posted in the second sentence of the original post.

Lmao thanks John I swear I can read

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[Tim Bromund]

Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo in Niagara Falls, NY.


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[stoneam2006]

Sorry bout that....may look into going seems like a good experience

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[Tim Bromund]

[emoji106]


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[John E Powell]

Sorry bout that....may look into going seems like a good experience

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It does sell out every year for a reason. It’s the best salmon seminar on the Great Lakes.


________________________
Owner John's Custom Rods
Specializing in building Great Lakes trolling rods since 1979
First place winner of the 2016 World Rod Building Challenge

[stoneam2006]

It does sell out every year for a reason. It’s the best salmon seminar on the Great Lakes.


________________________
Owner John's Custom Rods
Specializing in building Great Lakes trolling rods since 1979
First place winner of the 2016 World Rod Building Challenge

Thanks i will look into it asap. Appreciate it

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[Legacy]

If you haven't attended one of these then you are missing out.These seminars give you an great opportunity to listen to some great fisherman. No matter what your level of experience, you will learn something. No doubt. The event is held at the Niagara Fishing Expo and is something you shouldn't miss either. Great venue, great time.

[finsntins]

anyone needing a room for the weekend,we have stayed at the quality hotel and suites at the falls.nice hotel with a bar and grill and it is right across the street from the seminar.

240 1st street

Niagara falls,ny 14303

716-282-1212

 

[mwinter66]

I was going to sign up for this, but since I am truly a novice, it sounds like it might be too advanced.  I am just starting out this next season.

 

"The Salmon School is not meant for novices to the Lake Ontario fishery. It is a “hard core” salmon class targeted toward providing the “experienced weekend warrior” with additional insights and details to improve their catch in the limited time they have on the water. "

Edited November 26, 2017 by mwinter66

[pvelyk]

1 hour ago, mwinter66 said:

I was going to sign up for this, but since I am truly a novice, it sounds like it might be too advanced.  I am just starting out this next season.

 

"The Salmon School is not meant for novices to the Lake Ontario fishery. It is a “hard core” salmon class targeted toward providing the “experienced weekend warrior” with additional insights and details to improve their catch in the limited time they have on the water. "

Depends on your definition of novice.  They are not going to teach you how to use downriggers, planer board or dipseys or your electronics.  They expect you to know the mechanics.  What they will teach is where to look for the fish during different seasons and weather conditions.  What lure selections based on conditions, light brightness, and bait available.  They will teach you tricks to up your catch.  Honestly this is a must class for just about everyone including beginners.  Just don’t ask the super beginner questions like how do I place my line in a release during the class.  Otherwise this will help your learning curve.

[Tim Bromund]

11 minutes ago, pvelyk said:

Depends on your definition of novice.  They are not going to teach you how to use downriggers, planer board or dipseys or your electronics.  They expect you to know the mechanics.  What they will teach is where to look for the fish during different seasons and weather conditions.  What lure selections based on conditions, light brightness, and bait available.  They will teach you tricks to up your catch.  Honestly this is a must class for just about everyone including beginners.  Just don’t ask the super beginner questions like how do I place my line in a release during the class.  Otherwise this will help your learning curve.

 

Exactly, and if you really need the basic stuff, there will be basic learn to fish Lake Ontario sessions available periodically throughout the weekend in the 1 hour seminars, that will cover a lot of those topics.

Edited November 26, 2017 by Tim Bromund

[Xxx]

Is this the same place and time were there will be venders and the other fish in Lake Ontario walleye seminars are held but not so long of a time???

[pvelyk]

4 minutes ago, pap said:

Is this the same place and time were there will be venders and the other fish in Lake Ontario walleye seminars are held but not so long of a time???

Pap,

 

Yeah this is the big show at the Niagara Falls convention center.  Lots of vendor and lots of seminars.  The have like 10 rooms they have seminars.  Each room has a series of seminars for a certain type of activity.  One rooom may have different seminars on stream fishingwith ea h one being an hour or two.  The next room may be open lake, the next is walleye.  Most of these are free with admission.  But the salmon school, the How to better use your electronics and walleye carry an extra charge over admission.  Great show, well managed!